Are you passionate about community engagement, inclusion and research with young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?
We’re looking for a Young People with SEND NCRN Coordinator to set up and lead an inspiring Community Research Network. This network will support young people to become paid citizen social scientists. These young people will shape research on the issues that matter to them.
This is a great opportunity to combine youth work, inclusive research, and social impact and will help communities who are often left out influence change.
This job is based at The 5Es and The RIX Centre.
Find out more about this great opportunity by checking out the easy read overview and Job Description below.
At RIX, our work is rooted in collaboration, co-production, and learning across borders. Recent international activities across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan have provided powerful opportunities to share our approach to inclusive research and practice, while also learning from colleagues, students, and leaders who are equally committed to creating more accessible and inclusive societies. These experiences remind us that inclusion is a global conversation — and one that grows stronger through shared experiences, partnerships, and mutual learning.
Egypt: Inclusion, Learning and Cultural Exchange
Our visit to Egypt centred around participation in an international summit and the Tamkin 2026 programme, both focused on advancing inclusive education and opportunities for students with disabilities.
Two students travelled with me as part of the RIX delegation. Their presence was essential. Inclusion is not something we talk about for students — it is something we build with them.
International Summit: Conversations on Inclusive Universities
At the summit, I presented to an audience that included the Minister of Higher Education, university leaders, professors, and practitioners. The focus of our contribution was clear: how we can work together to make universities more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to diverse learners.
International Summit delegates in Egypt
We shared RIX approaches to:
Co-production with people with lived experience
Multimedia advocacy and digital inclusion
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Creating inclusive learning environments across teaching, research, and student life
The discussion highlighted a shared commitment across countries to move beyond policy statements and into practical implementation — designing systems, spaces, and cultures where all students can participate and flourish.
Student Participation and Global Connections
The two students who travelled with us participated fully in the conference and in the Tamkin 2026 programme. They met students from other universities, exchanged ideas, and experienced international collaboration first-hand.
This experience strengthened their confidence, networks, and sense of belonging within a global community working toward inclusion. It also demonstrated the importance of creating opportunities for students to participate in international spaces as active contributors, not just observers.
Loving the cat and baking the bread
Experiencing Egypt Together
Alongside the academic programme, we shared cultural experiences that deepened our understanding of Egypt’s history and richness. Together with the students, we visited some of Luxor’s most iconic sites:
The Valley of the Kings
Luxor Temple
A sunrise hot air balloon trip over the Nile and ancient monuments
These shared moments created space for reflection, connection, and joy — reminding us that international collaboration is also about building relationships and shared memories.
In a hot air balloonFlavia and Teddy seeing the sights
Saudi Arabia: Learning Through Dialogue and Experience
The visit to Saudi Arabia offered another valuable opportunity for professional exchange and cultural learning. Meetings and conversations focused on inclusive practice in education and the role of universities in creating accessible environments for all learners.
I also had the opportunity to learn from colleagues and experience local traditions and hospitality. One memorable experience was visiting a traditional restaurant where we sat on the floor and shared food together. This offered a meaningful insight into cultural practices and the importance of respect, openness, and curiosity when building international partnerships.
Gosia out on a missionExamples of signage and accessibility in Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan: Building Capacity for Inclusive Systems
In the first two weeks of December, we were delighted to host colleagues from Uzbekistan at the RIX Centre as part of our ongoing collaboration with the National Agency for Social Protection and the International Inclusive Hub.
We welcomed leaders from the Hub and lecturers from Tashkent Pedagogical University for an intensive programme of training and exchange. The sessions focused on developing inclusive systems across education and social protection, with particular emphasis on:
Universal Design for Learning and inclusive curriculum design
Digital tools for advocacy and participation, including Rix Wiki
Co-production and working with people with lived experience
Developing inclusive research and leadership capacity
Practical strategies for implementation within universities and national systems
The training created a vibrant space for dialogue, reflection, and shared learning. Colleagues explored how inclusive approaches can be embedded across teaching, student support, and policy frameworks. It was inspiring to work together on practical solutions that can support students with disabilities and create more inclusive educational environments in Uzbekistan.
This partnership continues to grow and forms part of a wider programme of collaboration to strengthen inclusive vocational and higher education systems.
Visit to Google Accessibility Discovery CentreUzbek partners visit in December 2025
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Work Together
Looking ahead, we are now preparing for a two-week visit to Uzbekistan, where we will deliver an intensive programme of training for teachers, academics, and leaders from universities, further education colleges, and vocational education institutions.
The focus of this next phase will be on supporting inclusive teaching and learning across vocational qualifications and higher education. Together with our partners, we will explore practical strategies to ensure that students with disabilities can access, participate in, and succeed within vocational and academic pathways.
Alongside the training programme, we are also working collaboratively with the National Agency for Social Protection and university partners on the development of a white paper and policy recommendations for the Government of Uzbekistan. This work aims to support long-term systemic change by embedding inclusive principles within national policy, educational frameworks, and institutional practice.
Our work is grounded in partnership and mutual learning. We are not simply delivering training; we are working together — sharing knowledge, listening, testing ideas, and co-creating solutions that are meaningful within local contexts. Through this collaboration, we hope to contribute to sustainable, inclusive systems that support all learners to thrive.
Workshop at Google Accessibility Discovery Centre
Reflections: Building Inclusive Universities Together
Across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan, several shared themes have emerged:
Inclusion is a global priority requiring collaboration and leadership
Students and people with lived experience must be central partners
Cultural exchange strengthens professional relationships
Practical tools and approaches are essential to turn vision into reality
Ensuring all students have access to education
We are proud to represent RIX internationally and to contribute to global conversations about inclusion, accessibility, and participation. Just as importantly, we return inspired by the commitment and innovation of our partners and colleagues around the world.
These collaborations remind us that meaningful change happens when we work together — across institutions, countries, and cultures — to create learning environments where everyone can belong and succeed.
Gosia Kwiatkowska
RIX Hackathon26 | Friday 19 June | 10am – 5pm
We’re excited to share this Save the date with you, with details of our third annual inclusive hackathon.
Our theme for this year will be Artificial Intelligence and accessibility.
Date
Friday 19 June 2026
Time
10am – 5pm
Venue
Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS)
University of East London, Docklands Campus
4-6 University Way, London, E16 2RD
One of last year’s Hackathon25 sprint groupsHackathon25 certificate card
You can find out more about the RIX Hackathon below.
We look forward to seeing you in June – please add a placeholder to your diary!
We’ll send you an Eventbrite link to the event nearer the time.
We’re excited to announce the launch of the new RixWiki app which is now available as a free download on the App Store (Apple) and Play Store (Android).
The Rix Wiki is a digital About Me tool that helps people share their story and show what good support looks like using words, pictures and videos. Its accessible design makes it easy for anyone to create and update their Wiki using the mobile app.
The app was developed in partnership with Charlie Levinson from Multi Me and his software developer, Sergei Alvinski, who helped develop the Multi Me support networking platform.
The new look Wiki is now even easier to use and includes added features to give you more customisation and accessibility options.
Settings
Dark mode – see screenshots below
Text to speech – can be turned on/off in Settings
Voice – choose from a large selection of female and male voices
Font size – small, medium, large, extra large
The RixWiki app also has a built in Media gallery where you can organise your pictures, videos, sound files and documents in one place.
If you already have a RIX Wiki just download the RixWiki app to your smartphone or tablet and log in to the app with.your normal username and password.
If you are interested in having a RIX Wiki but don’t have one yet, please head over to rixsoftware.org where you can find out more.
Screenshots of the RixWiki app on iPhoneScreenshots of the RixWiki app on iPadScreenshots of the RixWiki app on iPad in dark modeThe RixWiki app is available for Apple and Android devices
Activoté is an original, physical, parodic, music ensemble theatre production devised and written in consultation with young people in Newham. See below for a review of the performance on Friday 7 November 2025 at The Source, Stratford.
The aim of the production was to encourage young people to gain confidence in their political agency (especially important now that this government is looking to lower the voting age to 16). Activoté aims to enable audiences to experience the value of their vote as their rights are gradually stripped away in real time.
It was the culmination of two successful tours to schools and Newham’s Youth Empowerment Zones in autumn 2024 and autumn 2025. After the performance, we held a forum for responses by young people from local youth projects, along with colleagues and students from UEL, including the Youth Empowerment Zones learning disabled young adults’ group. At The Source, on the Friday morning, we also had 150 young people from The Lamas, Azhar Academy, Eastbury Community School, and Eastleigh School attending the performance and workshop. The production also visited Plashet School and Lister.
Audience participation at Activoté
This accessible, anarchic and comedic performance charts the exploits of four extremely hungry characters as they elicit the audience’s votes to win food. The characters communicate using physical language and an unknown language. What starts as contemporary slapstick soon takes a dark turn as two characters realise they can control what happens by deciding who can vote.
Through theatre, Activoté explored themes of youth empowerment, community responsibility, and personal growth. Activoté is directed and co-devised by Sasha Bonner (Creative Producer at Learning Stages) and Peter Moreton (AD at Learning Stages and previously RSC & Cheek By Jowl actor). Activoté was performed and co-devised by UEL alumni Thomas Clues, Inés Coulon, Ashley Lyon Durant, Lucky Oluchukwu Elueme and Linda Fernandes, as part of a successful pilot graduate employment programme.
Activoté was developed by Learning Stages (formerly Applecart Arts) in partnership with the University of East London and Newham’s Youth Empowerment Services, and funded by Culture In Newham, the British Arts Council, Youth Empowerment Services and The Source.
Review of Activoté at The Source
The play empowers young audiences to recognise the value of their political agency. Having toured over the past year, Activoté continues to inspire young audiences, impressing on them the power of the personal voice and the importance of safeguarding everyone’s right to participate in society, especially when discussions about lowering the voting age to 16 are becoming increasingly prominent. This theatre production explores what happens when voting rights are restricted within a society. It follows four hungry characters who compete for the audience’s votes in exchange for food. As the performance unfolds, the light-hearted competition darkens, revealing how easily power can shift when some individuals decide who gets to vote and who does not.
Activoté at The Source
I was interested in what this play had to offer. When I arrived, I was invited to a sit in a circle before the play began, in the foyer. We went around the circle introducing ourselves and saying what led us here: some said they were invited and my mum said she was curious. This influenced the next conversation where I talked about what I am studying at university (social work) and what that role would look like. Another individual then mentioned that social work involves professional curiosity – a comment that really sparked an interest in me and left me reflecting on the way home. This interaction prepared me for the play to come. The play explored themes of greed and corruption, using gibberish and physical theatre. I believe it did not need understandable speech for the audience to grasp the concept of the play and, in fact, this made it more accessible. The play explored the fine line between dictatorship and democracy and, in relation to today’s society, explored how often individuals are given the idea of choice but the reality does not reflect this.
Bjanca Phillips, second year BA (hons) Social Work student at UEL
I am always interested in my daughter’s university learning experience as she always keeps me up to date on her placement journey and work she has to do, she invited me to this play being organised by her university. This was my first time going to a theatre and all I can say it was a great experience; it showed me the importance of sharing and how people in a higher position mistreat people lower than themselves. If I was to take something away from this play, it would be making a positive out of any situation to try and improve society. (Christine, Bjanca’s mother)
In Youth Zones: Any young person from across the borough can come and join the team who co-deliver Youth Citizens Assemblies (Today Not Tomorrow). Young people run creative, interactive termly events themed on an issue they want to address to bring about change.
Contact cassandra.delisser@newham.gov.uk for more info.
In School & Youth Zones: Put yourself forward to be a member of the UK Youth Parliament.
Contact tim.aldcroft@newham.gov.uk for more info.
Stop – Before reading or sharing, take a moment to consider what you know about the source and your own emotional response.
Investigate the source – Learn about the source’s reputation, funding, and potential biases before reading the content itself.
Find better coverage – Look for other reputable sources or fact-checkers to corroborate the information or provide a broader context.
Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context – Find the original source of a claim or data to ensure it hasn’t been taken out of context or misrepresented.
Agency – a person’s ability to act, make choices, and bring about change, if they want to – whether big or small.
Civic engagement – getting involved in your community or in public life – this could mean getting involved by volunteering, signing or starting a petition, joining a peaceful protest, volunteering and helping out in the community, or speaking up about what matters to you.
Civil society – the organisations, groups, and individuals (outside of government) who help shape and support their communities – like charities, youth groups, campaigners, and community organisers.
Democracy – a system of government where people have a say in how things are run – usually through voting and choosing representatives.
Democratic institutions – the formal systems that help run our democracy – such as Parliament, local councils and courts.
Democratic participation – taking part in how decisions are made – such as registering to vote and voting; putting yourself forward as a candidate in elections; or taking part in discussions to help make decisions in your local area or region, or across the country.
Democratic processes – the practical ways democracy works – such as elections, debates, making laws, and holding leaders accountable.
Elections – when people vote to choose who represents them – locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.
Non-partisan – not supporting or promoting any political party. Being non-partisan means making space for all views and helping people explore their own opinions freely.
Policy – plans or rules that guide how organisations, governments, or people make decisions and take action. In a democracy, people can have a say in policies about things like housing, education, health, the environment, and more.
Politics – how decisions are made about many aspects of our lives: who has power, how they use it, and how to influence decisions. It’s not just about politicians or parties; it’s also about the issues people care about, the people who represent us, and the systems that shape our local area, region, country and the world.
Power – the ability to make decisions, influence others, or shape how things work. Power can exist in individuals, governments, communities, institutions, or everyday relationships.
Representative: Someone (such as a Member of Parliament or councillor) who is elected or chosen to speak or act on behalf.
On Saturday 18 October Rix Inclusive Research hosted a Campaigning Day with Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance in the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability on Docklands Campus.
There were several speakers who came to talk about their experiences of campaigning for disability rights and social justice. Sue told us about the Direct Action she took part in during the 1980s. This included chaining herself to buses in Oxford Street with other disabled people, taking over Government Offices and targeting the 15 MPs who kept trying to prevent the Disability and Discrimination Act (1995) from being passed. This made me feel inspired, that protesting and other peaceful forms of protest like chaining yourself to a bus make a real and tangible difference to society for disabled people. I was shocked that it took so much campaigning to force the Government to make train and bus travel accessible.
Campaigning to make public transport fully accessible for everyone
Thanks to people like Sue, I can now expect all public transport to be accessible, as well as public buildings. This isn’t always the case even now, but at least we have a legal right for it to happen which we didn’t have before the 1995 Act.
Other speakers talked about campaigning to make their local railway station accessible, and for increased social care packages. Sam, who is the Campaigns and Research Officer in Pathfinders, talked about his fight to get accessible housing in Bristol where he and his cat Barry live. He also told us about the new social care campaign and other research that Pathfinders are involved in. In the afternoon a new initiative was announced, the ‘Hoists in Hotels’ campaign.
Don’t Wing It, Sling It campaign wristband
This campaign is trying to persuade hotels across the country to put hoists into their bedrooms so that disabled guests can stay there. It can be a real problem finding places to stay if you are disabled, so hopefully, through this campaign, more people will realise what is needed to make places properly accessible.
Saul Catlin, RIX co-researcher
We are delighted to have secured one of the Launchpad pilots for London Social Ventures to explore innovative solutions to problems in Health and Social Care.
Storysharing® is a unique intervention that supports individuals with severe communication problems to recall and share everyday experiences in the form of collaborative conversations.
This promotes identity, memory, community, strong inter-peer relationships, listening, agency, and equality.
Storysharing addresses loneliness and wellbeing by providing mental stimulation.
It promotes independence – making choices depends on remembering the experience and consequences of previous choosing.
It fosters high quality care, better knowledge of residents, and more effective communication between staff and residents.
It provides enjoyment and sense of purpose for staff.
The pilot project will be developed and evaluated over the next six months, working in partnership with providers and the Social Ventures team.
Rix Inclusive Research Institute was delighted to be invited by Hannah Otoo, CEO of the REYO Foundation and organiser of Autism & SEN Show Africa 2025, to take part in this year’s event.
The conference is an international affair with delegates, exhibitors and speakers from around the world taking part. There are opportunities for professional development through presentations, workshops and exploration of new resources and technologies that have been proven to improve outcomes for young people.
The event was designed to appeal to teachers, healthcare professionals, parents, and the general public who want to engage with the latest information on Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Special Needs.
Professional development from Rix Inclusive Research
RIX provided two training sessions at the event which we include as video presentations below.
Inclusion without borders is presented by RIX Director Gosia Kwiatkowska. The presentation outlines core challenges and opportunities in the provision of inclusive education, health and care. Gosia explores the approach used at RIX to include and value differences and demonstrates how policy and strategy can lead positive change and social justice for autistic people and those with lived experience of disability.
A more inclusive classroom is presented by RIX Technical Director Craig Wilkie (also a teacher, education advisor and author) and provides practical ideas and approaches to improve inclusion in classrooms through the use of software such as the RIX Wiki and RIX EasySurvey.
RIX are delighted to take part and are actively collaborating with the REYO Foundation to secure funding for future inclusive technology projects in Ghana and the UK. Our collaboration with the Autism & SEN Show Africa conference is part of our ongoing partnership.
We all know how important it is to seek and give feedback about public services, especially health and social care services, which have a direct impact on people’s lives and can profoundly affect a person’s wellbeing.
Inclusion Ireland and HSE’s MY VOICE Survey 2025
Inclusion Ireland, alongside HSE, Ireland’s health and social care service, have been using our RIX EasySurvey software to find out what people with intellectual disabilities think about their day services and they have promoted this in a YouTube video.
As you will see in the video, EasySurvey provides a colourful and accessible survey platform with automated text-to-speech, and placeholders for images to support both the questions and the answer options. The software also gives the survey builder the option of adding videos to each page. These could take the form of video explainers, or signed video for people who use Makaton or BSL.
In kiosk mode, getting responses from groups of people, in a day service for example, couldn’t be easier. Just pass an internet-connected tablet around the room and make sure everybody clicks on Submit on completion of the survey before passing the tablet on to the next person. Longer surveys, where not all questions apply to all voters, can be broken down into smaller sections using the skip logic function.
Meanwhile, in the admin area, EasySurvey collates the survey results in real time, giving a useful snapshot of views, with the option to export the full data to a spreadsheet.
You can find out more about RIX EasySurvey via the links below.
Rix Inclusive Research is excited to be working with the Republic of Uzbekistan to review and audit inclusive and accessible practices in colleges and other educational establishments.
With a strong focus on universal design principles, the Republic of Uzbekistan is collaborating with RIX to assess areas of strength and identify development opportunities in policy and practice. In addition, training and professional development will be provided to share best inclusive practice in teaching and learning.
The project begins in September 2025 and concludes with the production of a consolidated proposal for improving inclusiveness in the vocational education system.
The project is being led by Associate Professor Gosia Kwiatkowska and Dr Nicola Crossley (CEO of Liberty Multi Academy Trust) with colleagues from the RIX and Liberty Trust teams in support.
We are excited to join the Government and people of Uzbekistan on this journey towards greater inclusion and improved education and life opportunities for all citizens.
Map of Republic of Uzbekistan
Loyiha boshlanishi: Inclusive Hub Uzbekistan
Rix Inclusive Research O‘zbekiston Respublikasi bilan hamkorlik qilib, kollejlar va boshqa ta’lim muassasalarida inklyuziv va qulay amaliyotlarni ko‘rib chiqish va auditdan o‘tkazishdan mamnun.
Umumiy dizayn tamoyillariga kuchli e’tibor qaratgan holda, O‘zbekiston Respublikasi RIX bilan hamkorlikda kuchli tomonlarni baholash hamda siyosat va amaliyotdagi rivojlanish imkoniyatlarini aniqlamoqda. Bundan tashqari, o‘qitish va o‘rganishda eng yaxshi inklyuziv tajribalarni ulashish uchun treninglar va kasbiy rivojlanish imkoniyatlari taqdim etiladi.
Loyiha 2025 yil sentyabr oyida boshlanib, kasb-hunar ta’limi tizimida inklyuzivlikni oshirish bo‘yicha yakuniy konsolidatsiyalangan taklif tayyorlash bilan yakunlanadi.
Loyihaga dotsent Gosia Kwiatkowska va doktor Nicola Crossley (Liberty Multi Academy Trust bosh direktori) rahbarlik qilmoqda, RIX va Liberty Trust jamoalari hamkorlikda loyihani qo‘llab-quvvatlamoqda.
Biz ushbu yo‘lni bosib o‘tishda O‘zbekiston hukumati va aholisi bilan birga bo‘lishdan va barcha fuqarolar uchun inklyuzivlikni oshirish hamda ta’lim va hayot imkoniyatlarini yaxshilashga hissa qo‘shishdan juda xursandmiz.
British Future is a charity that is researching how people in Newham can feel included in their local community and can feel a sense of belonging. Rix Inclusive Research are excited to be working on this project and researcher Ajay Choksi will co-host the project workshop in September.
The research is looking at how people’s ethnic background affects their sense of inclusion and belonging. We are also interested in how people’s experiences of disability are important to these issues. The project received funding from the London Borough of Newham.
Research about inclusion and belonging in Newham
We want to understand how local services and activities can support people from all backgrounds and we are asking participants at Eastway Care to take part in our research.
Participants can share a photograph with us of a place in Newham where they feel happy and comfortable
They will have two weeks over August to take a photograph or video from a journey that they take in Newham
Participants or carers can send this to us through a text or WhatsApp
They can also give us an object from the journey and we will visit Eastway care to collect these
Up to ten of the participants who send a photograph will also be offered a chance to take part in a fun workshop afterwards. We will talk about their picture and the places in Newham which they like (or do not like), with interactive games and refreshments. The project researcher, Ajay, will be in touch with participants who send in photos, films or objects to share invitations for the workshop.
Time, date and venue for workshop
Wednesday 24 September 11am-1pm
Rix Inclusive Research Institute
Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability
University of East London Docklands campus
4-6 University Way
London E16 2RD
Our research is taking place until the end of September 2025. After this, we will publish our findings in a report later this year, which will include a section sharing what we heard from the participants at Eastway Care. We will send this to everyone who takes part.
We are delighted to invite you to a strategic, inclusive, and creative conversation as part of Not F**kin’ Sorry! (NFS!) The Film Event: Building an Inclusive & Anti-Ableist Society at The Source (formally Stratford Circus), on Thursday 4 September 2 to 4.30pm as part of the Creative Industries Festival 2025.
We believe that NFS! The Film can become part of training within the statutory, public and creative industry sectors, inform policy, and offer film-screening events to celebrate learning disability and neurodivergent culture. NFS! The Film is part of a national and international Impact and Innovation research project.
Performers from Not F**kin’ Sorry!
The Film Event will include:
Welcome by University of East London’s Impact and Innovation Research Office, Office of Institutional Equity and the Rix Inclusive Research Institute
Introduction hosted by Not Your Circus Dog Collective and Access All Areas
Screened extracts from NFS! The Film
Sharing Outcomes from NFS! 2019-2025 and The Implicated Subject (Rothberg 2019)
Exploratory and inclusive creative conversations on NFS! as a powerful tool for self-advocacy, representation, training for inclusion, equity and care, and for influencing policy
Be an ally by becoming an NFS! partner
Refreshments, continued conversations, and timeline
The event will be Sign Interpreted and captured by artist and animator Charlie Minnion.
The session will be hosted and co-facilitated by Liselle Terret (UEL/The Dogs) Nick Llewelyn (AAA), Adam Smith, Emma/Xandri Selwyn, Stephanie Newman, DJ Hassani (The Dogs), Heather Johnson, Katie Wheeler (AAA/The Dogs).
For further information, any questions, becoming an NFS! Partner or access requirements please email: creativefutures@uel.ac.uk (subject heading: NFS! The Film Event).
Our event is for:
Arts and culture leaders and allies
Educators and youth workers
Health and social care professionals
Policy influencers
Charity and statutory organisations
Anyone committed to creating a more inclusive society
This year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Conference at the Open University. The two-day event, held on 9-10 July, brought together many people from across the world.
We had people attending from Australia and the UK. The conference was hosted by Ian, Craig and Liz, and featured keynote speakers such as Professor Jan Walmsley, presentations, and a full programme. Gosia and I had the pleasure of presenting and hosting a session.
For our talk, I focused on my journey with technology over the years. My interest in technology started when I was a little boy. I remember using my first desktop computer to play old games. Later, when I was 16 or 17, I joined Sixth Form College and studied IT. I learned to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. After finishing college in 1998–99, I struggled to find a job and worked in shops and factories.
Ajay learning about technology from child to adult
Things changed in 2007 when I met my employment support worker, Charles Oham, and started at The RIX Centre. That’s where I became a Technical Assistant — and I’ve been in that role for more than 18 years now!
I’ve worked closely with Gosia on many projects. I helped teach people how to use computers, microphones, cameras, and multimedia software. We used PowerPoint, Audacity, Movie Maker, scanners, Photo Story, and created easy-read materials like Newham Easy Read and Click Start.
Ajay and Gosia presenting at the Open University’s SHLD conference
As technology changed, I kept learning. Today, I work as a Technical Assistant, Researcher, and a proud member of purpleSTARS. I use RIX Wikis in research projects to help document every step and make the research inclusive. I also teach others how to use technology to break down barriers and support people into employment.
At the conference, I was happy to share my story and hopefully inspire others to explore technology. My message is simple:
You can do it, and you can live it!
Ajay Choksi and Gosia Kwiatkowska
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